Hi there,just starting out as an investor and considering Bay Area as one of the markets.

If you are not a seasoned investor, I would not suggest this. 

Also have a niche market that I am targeting,  However, because I live in Long Beach, CA, I am very interested in developing relationships with other real estate investors, agents, brokers, and lenders in the area. 

Chris, while I apreciate this view, I disagree with the notion that an agent--with no more information available than I've given--will understand the land value any better in this situation than the amassed wisdom of the pool of investors available here on BP.

Investing in LA begins with your own abilities as an investor.  

Greetings Bigger Pockets Community,
I'm new to real estate investing and would very much like to learn more about it, especially investing in rental properties. I'm currently reading BRRR Investing, The Book on Renta...

for real estate investors available to all BiggerPockets members!

It shows how difficult it is for one to make blanket statements about an entire city, and for the investor why it is difficult to take individual pieces of advice, void of context. 

There are some "business friendly" banks and others that are a bit more suspicious of real estate investors.

For buyers or their brokers with well capitalized investors, inquiring directly for verification of a property whether it has an assumable note is good practice while interest rates remain elevated.